These programmes straddle the boundary between upper secondary and tertiary education. They serve to broaden the knowledge of upper secondary education graduates. These programmes are designed to prepare students for studies at first stage of tertiary education or for direct labour market entry. They do not lead to a tertiary qualification.
Source: CEDEFOP 2008, Europe

Post-secondary non-tertiary education [or ISCED level 4] provides learning experiences building on secondary education, preparing for labour market entry as well as tertiary education. It aims at the individual acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies lower than the level of complexity characteristic of tertiary education. [...] The content of ISCED level 4 programmes is not sufficiently complex to be regarded as tertiary education, although it is clearly post-secondary.
Source: UNESCO UIS 2011, Global